Thoughts from young carers
'I had teachers saying that just because your mum has got a Mental Illness is no reason not to do work. I would get expelled from school because I'd get into fights with teachers'. 'All my teachers were really nice about it, as soon as my mum was in hospital teachers knew and were really supportive [they] said I didn't have to go to school if I didn't want to' 'I was at my school for a year and a half and had lots of friends and I didn't tell them about my Dad's Schizophrenia. And then they found out he had it they all ditched me' 'A lot of people don't know about illnesses. You know, they think that people are just 'crazy'. A lot of people also think schizophrenia passes on from one generation to another, that is why no one says anything about being a young carer' 'I know sometimes I missed stuff in class because I was worried about if Mum was taking her medication and that sort of thing. Sometimes I would not hear anything in class because of the worry and stuff' 'If I missed school they would sit down with me the next day and help me do the schoolwork'. 'the Young Carer worker rings me once a fortnight and I talk to them about any problems I may have - I've rung them twice to talk about problems I'm having'. 'through meeting other kids who have a Bi-polar parent, it feels like I'm not alone anymore' 'I feel more confident, I was always down as teachers put me down, young carers helped me learn more about my Dad's Mental health condition and understanding his medication'' 'I talk to the YC worker re how to deal with teasing, bullying and stuff' 'Knowing the Young Carers program worker is there and I can talk to him and he pops around and if I need anything he's there' 'When I'm having a bad day or Mum's having a downer, I ring the Young Carers worker to talk to him'
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